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Without him, however, they may not have beaten Burnley on Saturday. The deserving star of the show was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - his brace taking his season tally to 15.

But for pure elegance and grandeur, Ozil was the only show in town.

With one swing of his left foot and a mesmeric, jinxing run, the German brought Burnley to their knees.

Here, on his first Premier League start since November 11, Ozil - wearing the captain’s armband - showed exactly why we shouldn’t discount him from Arsenal’s future just yet.

Ashley Barnes found himself heavily involved on the day with a host of fouls forgotten after he scored to make it 2-1

The Burnley striker, who had already been booked, appeared to stamp on young Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi

Emery found himself on edge towards the end as Burnley pushed for an equaliser as momentum swung in their direction

His pass to set up Arsenal’s opener seared through the heart of Burnley.

Sead Kolasinac’s resultant cut-back was inch-perfect and Aubameyang’s finish was almost nonchalant. The Gabon striker’s celebration was anything but, as he launched himself into his trademark somersault.

He took the adulation, he deserves it - this his 14th goal of the season. But what came before it deserves its portion of applause. Eighteen passes - Ozil’s killer pass the best of the lot.

What vision. For those watching at home, Kolasinac wasn’t even in the picture as Ozil drew his left foot back to execute the pass.

The rest of the half was scrappy to say the least. Ashley Barnes was booked for his angry reaction at a typically robust challenge from Sokratis.

Mesut Ozil, who was axed by Emery for the Tottenham game on Wednesday, returned to captain the side on Saturday

The German's future at the club remains uncertain but he impressed with some smart passes in the narrow win at home

Arsenal were quicker out of the blocks to start as they searched for an early goal to settle their nerves after two recent defeats

The Burnley forward was adamant the Greek defender aimed an elbow at him, his team-mates agreed as they rushed to the scene sparking an angry confrontation between both sets of players.

Referee Kevin Friend did well to placate the flashpoint.

Sokratis and Barnes clashed again moments before the break, the Gunners defender hauling back the attacker.

Again there were handbags, again there was a yellow card - this time for Sokratis. The Greece international has just returned from a suspension after accumulating five bookings - he’s on the way to another ban.

Emery could do without being without his key central defender anytime soon; Nacho Monreal compounding his worrying defensive crisis limping off before the break.

How Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rounded off an excellent Arsenal team move for the opening goal. CLICK HERE for more from our match zone service

Burnley boss Sean Dyche attempts to get out the way of Sokratis Papastathopoulos as he attempts to stop the ball going out

Burnley are enduring a difficult campaign but worked hard to try and stifle the creativity of their hosts in the early kick-off

The injury forced Emery into a defensive reshuffle, converting to a back three in move that saw Granit Xhaka deployed as a centre back.

The makeshift nature of Arsenal’s defence would have encouraged Burnley as they trudged off behind at the break.

Indeed, the fact his side were heading in at half-time ahead for the first time in a Premier League game this season wouldn’t have allayed any concerns Emery may have had.

Given how many times Arsenal have been forced to come from behind this season, the Spaniard knows all about slender leads.

As it turned out, he didn’t need to worry - his side doubling their lead within three minutes of the restart.

Aside from the first goal, the big talking point from the first half was Barnes' touchline scuffle with Arsenal defender Sokratis

The two players wrestled just off the pitch before team-mates for both attempted to break it up as tempers came to the boil

The counter attack, which involved Kolasinac, Matteo Guendouzi and Alexander Lacazette, was breathtaking, Aubmeyang’s fierce finish was just as impressive.

Game over? You’d think, wouldn’t you. But Barnes breathed life into Burnley in the 63rd minute.

Arsenal just couldn’t clear their lines as the ball richoetted around the box like a pinball. In the end, Barnes punished the Gunners to half the deficit.

Before the goal Barnes looked rather fortunate to escape a red card for a vicious looking stamp on Guendouzi. But at this point, that was neither here nor there. Having looked entirely comfortable, Arsenal were rattled.

Cork missed a good opportunity to equalise in the 69th minute before Taylor hit the side netting after more tame Arsenal defending.

Referee Kevin Friend was unconcerned about using his cards following a raft of meaty challenges on both sets of players

Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart was forced to adopt a hat for the second half with the sun beaming high above the Emirates

In the end, Arsenal wrapped up the points in injury time; substitute Iwobi firing home from a tight angle.

But yet again, Ozil was the creator. With the ball glued to his feet, the German tore through the heart of Burnley’s right side before the ball broke to Iwobi, who applied the finish.

More Ozil magic; Arsenal back to winning ways after two successive losses.

The game ended in controversial circumstances as both managers appeared to exchange angry words just moments after the final whistle.